AN UPGRADE to the N4 dual-carriageway between Leixlip and the M50 junction, traditionally one of the most notorious traffic bottlenecks on the Dublin commuter belt, was officially opened yesterday.
The widening of the 7km stretch of road to three lanes in both directions is expected to substantially cut journey times between towns in west Co Dublin, north Kildare and the midlands.
The project to upgrade the route – it follows the existing N4 route south of Lucan village and north of Fonthill Road – began in September 2007, and was delivered on time costing €75 million.
The National Roads Authority said one of the main objectives of the scheme was to “eradicate” the Newcastle Road junction which was causing a major bottleneck.
The NRA said the route would improve access to Dublin airport and Dublin port, and increase the competitiveness of west Co Dublin and midlands region.
The road was officially opened yesterday by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, who said the upgrade showed the Government’s commitment to investing in top-class infrastructure despite the State’s current economic position.
The project forms part of a larger scheme to upgrade the N4-N6 Dublin to Galway major inter-urban corridor envisaged under the National Development Plan.
The new route comprises of a hard shoulder/bus lane from the M50 to Ballydowd interchange, an extension of existing bus lanes west of the Ballydowd interchange and a separated interchange at Newcastle Road.
It also includes one new road bridge, the widening of two existing road bridges and two new pedestrian bridges.
